Sinus pressure occurs when there is painful inflammation, fluid buildup, or congestion in the open spaces behind the face. Depending on the underlying cause, you may be able to try self-acupressure to relieve symptoms. This complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practice focuses on applying fingertip pressure to specific areas, or acupressure points, of the face and body.
Acupressure works similarly to acupuncture. Some experts believe that stimulating specific pressure points may help promote symptom relief for several conditions, including sinus pressure.
Although more extensive research is needed, available evidence on the practice of acupressure suggests that acupressure may be an effective additional treatment for relieving pain and other symptoms. Plus, it's relatively simple to try at home.
Manual stimulation of acupressure points, also known as acupressure, has long been used as a treatment in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It involves applying pressure to specific locations, such as the face, neck, or hands.
TCM practitioners have identified hundreds of “acupuncture points” on the body that are thought to be associated with specific body parts or health conditions. According to TCM, applying pressure to these points can help regulate the flow of energy throughout the body and can modulate the pain messages that nerves send to the brain, which can lead to reported healing or symptom relief.
Studies have shown that stimulating several acupressure points on the face, head, and hands can relieve sinus pressure. Some of these pressure points include:
- Captain 20 (LI20): These pressure points are located on either side of the nostrils and may help relieve sinus inflammation and nasal congestion.
- Bladder 2 (BL2): This spot, located between the bridge of the nose and the inner part of the eyelid just below the eyebrow, can be useful for sinus congestion and pressure around the eyes.
- Governor Vessel 24.5 (GV24.5 or Yintang): This acupressure point is located in the center of the forehead between the eyebrows, near the third eye. It may help clear a stuffy nose while relieving sinus pressure.
- Small intestine 18 (SI18): This spot, located on either side of the nose below the cheekbones, can reduce inflamed sinuses and relieve a runny nose.
- Taiyang (EX-HN5): This point is located at the temple and may help relieve headaches associated with sinus pressure.
- Sanjiao 21 (SJ21): SJ21, located at the point where the temple meets the ear, has the potential to help with pressure and pain in the face and ears.
- Gallbladder 20 (GB20): This point is located in the groove where the back of your neck meets the back of your head, and may help relieve headaches caused by sinus pressure.
- Lieutenant 4 (LI4): LI4, located between the index finger and thumb on the back of the hand, can relieve sinus pain, headaches, and facial tension.
In one pilot study, a small group of adults with acute rhinosinusitis (short-term inflammation of the sinuses) performed daily self-acupressure for eight weeks to help eliminate sinus drainage and reduce sinus pressure. The group that also utilized other complementary lifestyle therapies reported improved symptoms at the end of the study period.
A licensed therapist can perform a full acupressure session using their hands and potentially a variety of specialized blunt instruments or tools. However, if you want to try self-acupressure, you can follow a few steps to manually manipulate your sinus pressure points at home.
This technique involves applying gentle or firm pressure to a given point over a period of time, several minutes at a time. The exact pressure point you want to apply is up to you, but in general you can consider the following tips:
- Apply pressure to specific points using your index finger or thumb.
- Massage using circular pressure for about 5 seconds at a time.
- Consider alternating between circular motions and light pulses or constant pressure.
- Focus on one hand or one side of your face, then switch to the other side.
- Repeat as needed, up to several times per day.
Stay hydrated and have a light snack before your session to avoid dizziness. Experts also recommend avoiding alcohol or caffeine before starting.
Additional Tips for Relieving Sinus Pressure
Acupressure is not the only treatment for relieving sinus pressure. There are several other home remedies that can help relieve symptoms, including:
- Apply a warm compress to the sinus area.
- Use saline nasal spray
- Inhale the steam from a warm shower
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
- Get enough rest
- Use extra pillows to support your body while sleeping.
You may also consider taking over-the-counter (OTC) cold and allergy medications, such as:
- decongestant nasal spray For short-term sinus pressure relief, such as Afrin (oxymetazoline).
- nasal steroid spray such as Flonase (fluticasone) for allergy-related sinus pressure.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Such as Aleve (naproxen) or Motrin (ibuprofen) for pain relief.
- Antihistamines Such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine) to relieve sinus pressure caused by allergies.
If your bacterial sinusitis is stubborn or severe, your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics to help fight the sinus infection and relieve pressure.
For chronic or recurrent sinusitis that occurs more than four times a year, surgery to open the nasal passages may be necessary. Your healthcare provider may recommend surgery to correct structural abnormalities, such as a deviated septum or nasal polyps.
Acupressure is generally considered a safe, non-invasive treatment. Like acupuncture, it does not use needles and can be performed on your own at home.
When applying pressure to your face, press gently or firmly. Pressing too hard may cause bruising or other injuries. Also avoid areas with wounds or damaged skin.
Massaging sinus pressure points may cause side effects such as dizziness, headaches, and heart palpitations. However, these side effects are not frequently reported in available studies. You may experience some tenderness or mild discomfort with this technique.
If you are considering self-acupressure for sinus congestion, discuss the potential risks and benefits of this procedure with your healthcare provider. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition such as heart disease or diabetes, or have recently suffered an injury or fracture should get permission from their health care provider before continuing any type of acupressure.
Illnesses that cause sinus pressure, such as sinusitis or a cold, usually resolve on their own within 10 days. However, some cases of sinus pressure may require medical treatment.
If you have tried and experienced self-acupressure and other home remedies, consider visiting a health care provider.
- Symptoms last more than 10 to 14 days
- Severe headache that does not respond to OTC pain relievers
- high fever
- changes in vision
- Small growths (polyps) in the nose
Uncomfortable sinus pressure can be relieved by performing self-acupressure or applying pressure to specific areas of the body that holistic practitioners believe correspond to the sinuses. This treatment may help some people when combined with other home and OTC treatments, such as applying warm compresses to the face, staying hydrated, using nasal sprays, and taking decongestants.
If these treatments don't seem to relieve your sinus pressure or relieve your symptoms after about 10 days, contact your health care provider.